HOLYOKE- While thousands said goodbye as Ray Hershel officially signed off the Western Mass News airwaves after a 50-year career in journalism on Friday, more than 150 friends, family members and colleagues honored him afterwards at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

The reception brought together a small sampling of the countless lives Hershel touched during the half-century he dedicated to keeping the public informed. In retirement, Hershel, 72, told The Republican's Peter Goonan he hopes to travel with his wife Maureen, and visit their three adult children and six grandchildren out of state.

"So we are going to spend some time on the road, visiting them," Hershel said as he prepared to say goodbye to broadcast on Thursday. "But we like to volunteer, keep active in the community. So that will be on our agenda as well."

Check out photos from the evening above, and learn more about Hershel's storied career and thoughts on life, his work and retirement at the links below.